Enhanced audience interaction with a presenter of a presentation

ABSTRACT

A presentation being presented to an audience can be detected, the presentation including a plurality slides presented during the presentation. While the presentation is being presented to the audience, a message can be received from an audience member pertaining to at least one of the plurality of slides presented during the presentation. An association between the message from the audience member and the slide(s) presented during the presentation to which the message pertains can be automatically created. Responsive to detecting the presentation has completed, the message from the audience member pertaining to the slide(s) presented during the presentation can be communicated to the presenter of the presentation in a manner that indicates, independent of text entered into a body or subject line of the message by the audience member, to the presenter the association created between the message and the slide(s) presented during the presentation to which the message pertains.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/173,582, filed on Feb. 5, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Arrangements described herein relate to audience interaction with apresenter of a presentation.

Oftentimes a speaker at an event will present a presentation to a groupof people attending the event, for example using a presentation program.Members of the audience may desire to interact with the speakerregarding the presentation. Conventional forms of interaction in thiscontext have been limited to a question and answer session following thepresentation, a brief discussions following the presentation, and maybethe exchange of business cards with promise of a follow-up.

SUMMARY

A method includes detecting a presentation being presented to anaudience, the presentation including a plurality slides presented duringthe presentation. While the presentation is being presented to theaudience, a message can be received from an audience member pertainingto at least one of the plurality of slides presented during thepresentation. An association between the message from the audiencemember and the at least one of the plurality of slides presented duringthe presentation to which the message pertains can be automaticallycreated using a processor. Responsive to detecting the presentation hascompleted, the message from the audience member pertaining to the atleast one of the plurality of slides presented during the presentationcan be communicated to the presenter of the presentation in a mannerthat indicates, independent of text entered into a body or subject lineof the message by the audience member, to the presenter the associationcreated between the message and the at least one of the plurality ofslides presented during the presentation to which the message pertains.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a presentationsystem.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example architecture for aninteraction server.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method of enhancedaudience interaction with a presenter of a presentation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the disclosure concludes with claims defining novel features, itis believed that the various features described herein will be betterunderstood from a consideration of the description in conjunction withthe drawings. The process(es), machine(s), manufacture(s) and anyvariations thereof described within this disclosure are provided forpurposes of illustration. Any specific structural and functional detailsdescribed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basisfor the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled inthe art to variously employ the features described in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases usedwithin this disclosure are not intended to be limiting, but rather toprovide an understandable description of the features described.

This disclosure relates to enhanced audience interaction with apresenter of a presentation. In accordance with the inventivearrangements disclosed herein, during a presentation presented to anaudience, presentation metadata related to the presentation can becommunicated to members of the audience (i.e., to their mobilecommunication devices). The presentation metadata can indicateinformation about the presenter, one or more uniform resourceidentifiers (URIs) (e.g., uniform resource locators (URLs)) to websiteswhere the audience members can obtain information related to thepresentation, one or more URIs directed to information related to thepresentation, an email address to which the audience members can sendemails with questions and/or comments about the presentation and/or amessaging address to which audience members can send text messagesand/or instant messages with questions and/or comments about thepresentation.

Emails, text messages and/or instant messages (collectively referredherein as “messages”) that are received during the presentation can beassociated with the presentation. In illustration, an association can becreated between each received message and one or more slides presentedduring the presentation to which the message pertains. Responsive todetecting the presentation has completed, the messages from the audiencemembers can be communicated to the presenter of the presentation in amanner that indicates to the presenter the association created betweenthe messages and slides presented during the presentation to which themessages pertain. Accordingly, the presenter can review the messages inthe context of the slides with which the messages are associated. Thiscontext can greatly facilitate the presenter's understanding of themessages.

Several definitions that apply throughout this document now will bepresented.

As defined herein, the term “presentation” means a presentationpresented to an audience.

As defined herein, the term “live presentation” means a presentationpresented to an audience in a geographic location where a presenter ofthe presentation is geographically located when the presenter presentsthe presentation. In this regard, a presentation presented in a webconference is not a “presentation” and a presentation presented in ateleconference is not a “presentation.”

As defined herein, the term “audience” means a group of people viewingthe presentation.

As defined herein, the term “presenter” means a person (i.e., a humanbeing) who is presenting a presentation.

As defined herein, the term “audience member” means a person (i.e., ahuman being) who is a member of an audience viewing a presentation.

As defined herein, the term “presentation program” means a softwarepackage configured to display information in the form of a slide show. Apresentation program can be hosted locally on a processing system orhosted on a website accessed by a processing system. Examples ofpresentation programs include, but are not limited to, IBM® Lotus®Symphony® Presentations, Microsoft® PowerPoint®, Apache OpenOffice™Impress, SoftMaker® Presentations, Corel® Presentations, PowerPresentation™, Ability™ Presentation, Prezi™ Pro, ProPresenter®,MediaShout® and Google Drive™ Presentation.

As defined herein, the term “slide” means information presented on adisplay or projected on a screen by a presentation program during aslide show. A slide may include text, one or more images, audio, video,animation and/or multimedia.

As defined herein, the term “presentation metadata” means data relatedto a presentation.

As defined herein, the term “message” means a text message, instantmessage and/or electronic mail (email).

As defined herein, the term “plug-in” means a software component thatadds a specific feature to an existing application. A plug-in also maybe referred to as an “extension,” an “add-on” or an “addon.”

As defined herein, the term “automatically” means without userintervention.

As defined herein, the term “user” means a person (i.e., a human being).

As defined herein, the term “processor” means at least one hardwarecircuit (e.g., an integrated circuit) configured to carry outinstructions contained in program code. Examples of a processor include,but are not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arrayprocessor, a vector processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC) and a controller.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a presentationsystem 100. The presentation system can include a processing system 110including at least one processor and memory. In one arrangement, theprocessing system can be a computer (e.g., a workstation, a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a netbook, a tabletcomputer, etc.) that is operatively coupled to a display on which apresentation is presented or a projector that projects a presentationonto a screen. In another arrangement, the processing system 110 can bea projector configured to project a presentation onto a screenindependently of an external computer. In yet another arrangement, theprocessing system 110 can be a display configured to present apresentation on the display independent of an external computer.

In one aspect, the processing system 110 can include a presentationprogram 112. The presentation program 112 can be executed by theprocessing system 110 to present the presentation. In another aspect,the processing system 110 can access the presentation program 112 fromanother processing system. For example, the processing system 110 canaccess the presentation program 112 from a website and/or execute thepresentation program 112 as a web-based service.

The presentation system 100 also can include an interaction server 120including at least one processor and memory. The interaction server 120can include an interaction application 122 that facilitates interactionof audience members with the presentation and/or presenter as will bedescribed herein.

The presentation system 100 also can include a plurality of mobilecommunication devices 130, 132, 134 via which audience members mayinteract with the presentation and/or presenter as will be describedherein. Examples of mobile communication devices include, but are notlimited to, mobile computers (e.g., laptop computers, tablet computersand the like), smart phones, personal digital assistants, etc.

The processing system 110 and the mobile communication devices 130-134can be communicatively linked to the interaction server 120 via asuitable communication network (not shown). The communication network isthe medium used to provide communications links between various elementsof the presentation system 100. The communication network may includeconnections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber opticcables. The communication network can be implemented as, or include, anyof a variety of different communication technologies such as a wide areanetwork (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless network, a mobilenetwork, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), the Internet, the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), and/or the like.

In operation, the processing system 110, via the presentation program112, presents the presentation to an audience. In one arrangement, thepresentation can be a live presentation. Prior to a start of thepresentation, when the presentation starts, or subsequent to thepresentation starting, the processing system 110 can provide to theinteraction server 120 presentation metadata 140 related to thepresentation. For example, an application programming interface (API)can be installed on the processing system for use with the presentationprogram 112 to facilitate entry of the presentation metadata 140 andcommunication of the presentation metadata 140 to the interaction server120. The presentation metadata 140 can be stored to a computer readablestorage medium that is a component of the interaction server 120 or towhich the interaction server 120 is communicatively linked. In anotherarrangement, the presentation metadata 140 can be communicated to theinteraction server 120 from another processing system (not shown). Forexample, prior to starting the presentation, the presenter or anotherperson can upload the presentation metadata 140 to the interactionserver 120.

The interaction server 120 can communicate the presentation metadata 140to one or more of the mobile communication devices 130-134. Inillustration, prior to a start of the presentation, when thepresentation starts, or subsequent to the presentation starting, a URIcan be provided to audience members that the audience members can use toretrieve the presentation metadata 140. For example, the URI can bepresented to the audience members on a handout, presented on a displaybeing viewed by the audience members, presented on a poster availablefor viewing, or the like. In one aspect, the URI can be presented on afirst slide shown in the presentation. When the audience members accessthe URI, or otherwise query the interaction server 120, the presentationmetadata 140 can be communicated from the interaction server 120 (e.g.,using the interaction application 122) to their respective mobilecommunication devices 130-134. The presentation metadata 140 can bepresented on the mobile communication devices 130-134 via web browsers,word processors, or any other suitable applications. Optionally, via theURI, one or more plug-ins can be communicated to the mobilecommunication devices 130-134 for installation on the mobilecommunication devices 130-134 for use with the web browsers, wordprocessors, presentation programs, presentation viewers, or otherapplications installed on the mobile communication devices 130-134. Theplug-in(s) can facilitate audience member interaction with thepresentation, communication of messages pertaining to the presentation,etc.

In one arrangement, the presentation metadata 140 can includeinformation about the presenter, contact information for the presenter,such as the presenter's user name(s) on one or more social networkingsites, the presenter's email address, the presenter's text messagingaddress, the presenter's instant messaging address, the presenter'stelephone number, and/or other contact information. Further, an emailaddress, text messaging address and/or instant messaging address for thepresenter that is/are specifically associated with the presentation canbe provided in the presentation metadata 140. Accordingly, any messagesthat are sent to any of those addresses can be identified as pertainingto the presentation and sent to, or forwarded to, the interaction server120 (e.g., to the interaction application 122).

The presentation metadata 140 also can include a hyperlink audiencemembers can select to download a copy of the presentation, hyperlinks toadditional information about the topic of the presentation and/or ahyperlink to a chat room to discuss the presentation with other audiencemembers during or after the presentation. The presentation metadata 140also can include a hyperlink to a website where audience members canregister to receive mail and/or email from the presenter, etc.

The presentation can include a plurality of slides. As noted, each slidemay include text, one or more images, audio, video, animation and/ormultimedia. During the presentation, the presenter can interact with thepresentation program 112 to advance through the slides. Each time thepresenter advances the presentation from one slide to another slide, thepresentation program 112, or an API associated with the presentationprogram 112, can generate an identifier that identifies the other slideand a time stamp indicating when the other slide is presented.Optionally, an identifier that identifies the previous slide and a timestamp indicating when the previous slide was advanced away from also canbe generated. The processing system 110 (e.g., the presentation program112 or API) can communicate such identifiers to the interaction server120 (e.g., to the interaction application 122), which can store theidentifiers in a suitable data table on a computer readable storagemedium associated with the interaction server 120. Accordingly, theinteraction application 122 will know precisely when each slide in thepresentation is presented.

During the presentation, audience members may choose to send messages150, 152, 154 to the presenter providing feedback on the presentationand/or presenting questions regarding the presentation. Such messagescan be sent to the email address, text messaging address, instantmessaging address or telephone number specifically associated with thepresentation, and delivered to the interaction server 120 (e.g., to theinteraction application 122). At least some of the messages may pertainto specific slides that are presented in the presentation. Accordingly,when the interaction application 122 receives a message from an audiencemember pertaining to the presentation, the interaction application 122can automatically create an association between the message and theslide of the presentation that is presented when the message isgenerated by the audience member.

In one arrangement, an API installed on the audience member's mobilecommunication device 130 can include in a header or footer of themessage 150 a time stamp indicating when the audience member begancomposing the message 150. The interaction application 122 can processthis time stamp to identify which slide was being presented when theuser began composing the message 150 based on the time stamps associatedwith the slides. The interaction server 120 can automatically create anassociation between the message 150 and the identified slide.

In another arrangement, the interaction application 122 can identify atime stamp indicating when the message 150 was sent by the mobilecommunication device 130 or a time stamp indicating when the message 150was received by the interaction application 122. The interactionapplication 122 can process this time stamp to identify which slide wasbeing presented when the audience member sent the message 150 or whenthe message 150 was received based on the time stamps associated withthe slides. Again, the interaction server 120 can automatically createan association between the message 150 and the identified slide.

In yet another arrangement, for example if the audience member hasdownloaded a copy of the presentation to his/her mobile communicationdevice 130, the audience member can indicate one or more slides to whichthe message pertains. For example, the audience member can select one ormore slides in the downloaded copy of the presentation, and choose togenerate a message 150 pertaining to the selected slide(s). Inillustration, a plug-in associated with a presentation program orpresentation viewer executing on the mobile communication device 130 canprovide options that allow the audience member to select one or moreslides and compose a message 150 pertaining to such slide(s). In oneaspect, the selected slide(s) can be indicated by one or moreidentifiers placed by the plug-in in a header or footer of the message,in a subject line of the message and/or in a body of the message. Whenthe interaction application 122 receives the message 150 from theaudience member, the interaction application 122 can process suchidentifier(s) to identify the slide(s) to which the message 150 pertainsand automatically create an association between the message and suchslide(s).

At some point the presenter can close the presentation, thus indicatingthe presentation has completed, or the presenter can indicate that thepresentation has completed in another manner, for example by selecting amenu item presented by the presentation program 112 or closing thepresentation program 112. In response, the processing system 110 cancommunicate a message to the interaction server 120 indicating thepresentation is complete. Responsive to detecting the presentation hascompleted, the interaction application 122 can communicate to thepresenter of the presentation (e.g., to the processing system 110) themessage(s) 160 from the audience member(s) pertaining to thepresentation.

As noted, at least some of these messages 160 may pertain to one or moreslides presented during the presentation. The interaction application122 can communicate such message(s) 160 to the presenter in a mannerthat indicates to the presenter associations created between therespective messages and the slide(s) to which the respective messagespertain(s). Such slide associations can be independent of text enteredinto a body or subject line of the message by the audience member. Forexample, in one arrangement, a reference to each slide to which aparticular message 160 pertains can be added to the message 160 by theinteraction application 122. In this regard, the messages 160 can beconfigured to indicate to the processing system 110 to store the messagein a manner that associates the message with the at least one of theplurality of slides presented during the presentation to which themessage pertains.

In illustration, the interaction server 120 can add the reference(s) toeach slide to which the respective message(s) pertain to the subjectline of the message 160 or at the top of the body of the message 160. Inanother arrangement, the interaction application 122 can add referenceto one or more slides to which a particular message 160 pertains to aheader or footer of the message 160. When the processing system 110receives such messages 160 from the interaction server 120, theprocessing system 110 can store such messages in a manner thatassociates the respective messages 160 with the slide(s) presentedduring the presentation to which the respective messages pertain.Accordingly, the presenter can review the messages in the context of theslides with which the messages are associated. This context can greatlyfacilitate the presenter's understanding of the messages.

For example, the associations created between the messages 160 and theslides to which they pertain can be configured to indicate to a plug-inassociated with the processing system (e.g., the presentation program112) to create a link between each message 160 and the slide(s) to whichthe message 160 pertains. In illustration, a hyperlink to each message160 pertaining to a particular slide can be added to that slide, and/ora hyperlink to each slide to which a particular message 160 pertains canbe added to the message 160. In another aspect, the associations createdbetween the messages 160 and the slides to which they pertain can beconfigured to indicate to the plug-in to insert the messages 160 intothe presentation in a manner that associates the messages 160 with therespective slide(s) to which the messages 160 pertain. For example, themessages 160 can be configured to be presented above, below or next tothe slides to which the messages 160 pertain or inserted on new slidespositioned in the presentation before or after the respective slides towhich the messages 160 pertain.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example architecture for theinteraction server 120. The interaction server 120 can include at leastone processor 205 (e.g., a central processing unit) coupled to memoryelements 210 through a system bus 215 or other suitable circuitry. Assuch, the interaction server 120 can store program code within thememory elements 210. The processor 205 can execute the program codeaccessed from the memory elements 210 via the system bus 215. It shouldbe appreciated that the interaction server 120 can be implemented in theform of any system including a processor and memory that is capable ofperforming the functions and/or operations described within thisspecification. For example, the interaction server 120 can beimplemented as a computer, a workstation, a desktop computer, a mobilecomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on.

The memory elements 210 can include one or more physical memory devicessuch as, for example, local memory 220 and one or more bulk storagedevices 225. Local memory 220 refers to RAM or other non-persistentmemory device(s) generally used during actual execution of the programcode. The bulk storage device(s) 225 can be implemented as a hard diskdrive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), or other persistent data storagedevice. The interaction server 120 also can include one or more cachememories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least someprogram code in order to reduce the number of times program code must beretrieved from the bulk storage device 225 during execution.

One or more network adapters 230 can be coupled to interaction server120 to enable interaction server 120 to become coupled to other systems,computer systems, remote printers, and/or remote storage devices throughintervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modems,transceivers, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types ofnetwork adapters 230 that can be used with interaction server 120.

As pictured in FIG. 2, the memory elements 210 can store the componentsof the interaction server 120 of FIG. 1, namely the interactionapplication 122 and messages 150-154 of FIG. 1. Being implemented in theform of executable program code, the interaction application 122 can beexecuted by the interaction server 120 and, as such, can be consideredpart of the interaction server 120. Moreover, the interactionapplication 122 and messages 150-154 are functional data structures thatimpart functionality when employed as part of the interaction server120.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 300 ofenhanced audience interaction with a presenter of a presentation. Atstep 302, a presentation being presented to an audience can be detected.The presentation can include a plurality of slides presented during thepresentation. At step 304, while the presentation is being presented tothe audience, a message can be received from an audience memberpertaining to at least one of the plurality of slides presented duringthe presentation. At step 306, an association between the message fromthe audience member and the at least one of the plurality of slidespresented during the presentation to which the message pertains can beautomatically created using a processor. At step 308, responsive todetecting the presentation has completed, the message from the audiencemember pertaining to the at least one of the plurality of slidespresented during the presentation can be communicated to the presenterin a manner that indicates, independent of text entered into a body orsubject line of the message by the audience member, to the presenter theassociation created between the message and the at least one of theplurality of slides presented during the presentation to which themessage pertains.

For purposes of simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shownin the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative toother elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate,reference numbers are repeated among the figures to indicatecorresponding, analogous, or like features.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like,and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,”“including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in thisdisclosure, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof

Reference throughout this disclosure to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment described within this disclosure.Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in anembodiment,” and similar language throughout this disclosure may, but donot necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected,whether directly without any intervening elements or indirectly with oneor more intervening elements, unless otherwise indicated. Two elementsalso can be coupled mechanically, electrically, or communicativelylinked through a communication channel, pathway, network, or system. Theterm “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Itwill also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms, as these terms are only used to distinguishone element from another unless stated otherwise or the contextindicates otherwise.

The term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in responseto determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context.Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated conditionor event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or“in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition orevent]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],”depending on the context.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

1. A method, comprising: detecting a presentation being presented to anaudience, the presentation comprising a plurality slides presentedduring the presentation; receiving, while the presentation is beingpresented to the audience, a message from an audience member pertainingto at least one of the plurality of slides presented during thepresentation; automatically creating, using a processor, an associationbetween the message from the audience member and the at least one of theplurality of slides presented during the presentation to which themessage pertains; and responsive to detecting the presentation hascompleted, communicating to a presenter of the presentation the messagefrom the audience member pertaining to the at least one of the pluralityof slides presented during the presentation in a manner that indicates,independent of text entered into a body or subject line of the messageby the audience member, to the presenter the association created betweenthe message and the at least one of the plurality of slides presentedduring the presentation to which the message pertains.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: receiving, each time the presentationadvances from one slide to another slide, an identifier that identifiesthe other slide and a time stamp indicating when the other slide ispresented during the presentation.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereincreating, using a processor, the association between the message fromthe audience member and the at least one of the plurality of slidespresented during the presentation to which the message pertainscomprises: identifying a slide of the presentation being presented whenthe message is generated by the audience member and creating theassociation between the message and that slide.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein creating, using a processor, the association between themessage from the audience member and the at least one of the pluralityof slides presented during the presentation to which the messagepertains comprises: receiving from the audience member, with themessage, an indication of the at least one of the plurality of slidespresented during the presentation and creating the association betweenthe message and that slide.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein creating,using a processor, the association between the message from the audiencemember and the at least one of the plurality of slides presented duringthe presentation to which the message pertains comprises: communicatingthe message to a processing system hosting a presentation manager thatpresents the presentation to the audience, wherein, as communicated tothe processing system, the message is configured to indicate to theprocessing system to store the message in a manner that associates themessage with the at least one of the plurality of slides presentedduring the presentation to which the message pertains.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein, as communicated to the processing system, the messageis configured to indicate to a plug-in associated with the processingsystem to create a link between message and the at least one of theplurality of slides to which the message pertains.
 7. The method ofclaim 5, wherein, as communicated to the processing system, the messageis configured to indicate to a plug-in associated with the processingsystem to insert the message into the presentation in a manner thatassociates the message with the at least one of the plurality of slidesto which the message pertains.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: communicating metadata associated with the presentation toat least one mobile communication device being used by at least one ofthe audience members. 9-20. (canceled)